Call for ‘strengthening of police capabilities’ after double murder
There have been 11 reported murders since the beginning of the year
Two more lives have been lost at the hands of mysterious gunmen, bringing up the total to four murders since the beginning of February.
Police have confirmed that two people were killed in a drive-by shooting on Ntabamhlophe Road yesterday (February 13) at about 16:30.
READ: Two shot dead in drive-by shooting
Spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan added that detectives are investigating two counts of murder as well as three counts of attempted murder.
“It is alleged that a minibus was travelling from Estcourt to Wembezi when an unknown vehicle drove up alongside the minibus and unknown gunmen opened fire on the minibus. Two people were fatally wounded and three other passengers sustained gunshot wounds,” he said.
Several spent cartridges at the scene.
Police say that at this stage, the motive for the deadly shooting is unknown.
The victims have not been officially identified yet.
ALSO READ: Shooting leaves one dead; another severely injured
The Democratic Alliance’s Uthukela Constituency Head Alf Lees MP has reiterated his call for police to step up its intelligence network.
“The murders and shootings took place in broad daylight on a very busy road, during rush hour traffic. The question remains as to why the police intelligence is not establishing advance knowledge of what seem to be hits and taking action before the killings occur. Does police intelligence actually perform any useful work or is it yet another incompetent bureaucracy of well-paid civil servants? It is a primary function of the police to keep ordinary South Africans safe in their homes and on the streets. The police in Estcourt do not appear to be able to fulfil this vital function and there is an urgent need for strengthening the police capabilities before more people of Estcourt are murdered with apparent impunity,” he said.
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